Donald Trump has won the 2024 election and will be President for a second time, according to the Associated Press. The AP called the race early Wednesday morning after determining that Vice President Kamala Harris had no mathematical path to victory based on the votes tallied so far.
Americans went to the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 5, to cast their ballots for the next President—along with candidates for a wide range of other federal, state, and local offices.
The outcome in the presidential race hinged on seven battleground states: former President Donald Trump won Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, and Wisconsin, while Arizona and Nevada have not yet been called.
The stakes were particularly high as economic issues, immigration, and reproductive rights were top of mind for voters. And there’s the historical significance of the candidates themselves: Vice President Kamala Harris, 60, would have been the first woman and the first person of South Asian descent to serve as U.S. President. Meanwhile, Trump, who is 78, will become the oldest President in history if he finishes another term at 82, and he will be the first President convicted of a felony.
Read More: How Trump Won
The cost of living remains a central concern for voters, with many Americans still grappling with inflationary pressures stemming from the pandemic. Trump positioned himself as a champion of economic revitalization, even as some economists warn that his proposed tariffs could have the opposite effect. For Harris, the issue of abortion became a rallying cry, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. She framed reproductive rights as a matter of personal freedom, resonating particularly with women voters, many of whom were mobilized by ballot initiatives aimed at protecting these rights in key states. Immigration also remains a critical issue for Trump, who has vowed to deport millions of undocumented migrants.
Republicans also won control of the Senate and retained the House. Read below for TIME’s coverage, keeping you updated throughout Election Day and beyond.
Republicans maintain House majority, clinching government trifecta
Nov. 13, 10:30 p.m. ET
The GOP not only regained control of the White House and the Senate but also managed to hold onto a narrow majority in the House, the Associated Press called Wednesday, more than a week after voters headed to the polls. The victory in the House will have significant ramifications for the start of Trump’s second term, allowing the President-elect and his allies to push forward with their full legislative agenda now that both chambers of Congress are under Republican control until at least 2026. Read more here. —Nik Popli
Trump sweeps swing states after all calls are made
Nov. 9, 9:30 p.m. ET
Donald Trump has officially won the Electoral College by 312 to 226, the largest margin of victory since Barack Obama’s re-election in 2012. The AP called the final state Arizona for Trump on Saturday, cementing his victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in all seven swing states.
The AP called the overall race on Wednesday, after Trump had won both Georgia and North Carolina and broken the so-called “blue wall” with Pennsylvania then Wisconsin, taking him over the 270 electoral-vote threshold. Battlegrounds Michigan and Nevada were later also called for Trump. See a map of the results here.
Though ballots are still being counted, Trump also looks set to win the popular vote, which would make him the first Republican to do so in 20 years. Voter turnout appears on track to be close to the record high set in 2020. —Chad de Guzman
Putin and other world leaders congratulate Trump
Nov. 7, 9:00 p.m. ET
Key political figures across the globe have been extending congratulatory messages to Trump, including Russia President Vladimir Putin, who had initially held off on reaching out to the President-elect. “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him on his election as President of the United States of America,” Putin said during a Q&A session at a conference on Thursday. “I don’t know what will happen now. I have no idea,” he added, referencing uncertain diplomatic relations to come.
On Wednesday, embattled Ukraine President Volodmyr Zelensky shared a lengthy social media post in which he said: “We look forward to an era of a strong United States of America under President Trump’s decisive leadership. We rely on continued strong bipartisan support for Ukraine in the United States.”
China President Xi Jinping also congratulated Trump, according to Chinese state media, expressing hope for cooperation rather than confrontation and urging that they “find the right way to get along in the new era, so as to benefit both countries and the wider world.”
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara addressed Trump and his wife Melania on X. “Congratulations on history’s greatest comeback!” the Netanyahus wrote. “Your historic return to the White House offers a new beginning for America and a powerful recommitment to the great alliance between Israel and America.”
So far, leaders from more than 50 countries have also offered their congratulations on social media. Read more here. —Chad de Guzman and Rebecca Schneid
Biden praises Harris, says ‘we lost this battle’
Nov. 7, 11:48 a.m. ET
On Thursday, President Joe Biden addressed the nation for the first time since Trump—whom Biden beat in 2020—won the presidency.
Biden spoke from the Rose Garden at the White House, emphasizing that he will “fulfill his duty” as President by facilitating a peaceful transfer of power between him and Trump, and calling for the country to “bring down the temperature” and tension between those of different political parties. “Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory and I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team,” Biden said.
He praised Harris’ character, saying she “has a backbone like a ramrod” and calling her campaign “inspiring.”
After thanking poll workers and his team, he asked his supporters to not forget “all that we’ve accomplished” and reminded the country that there are 74 days left to finish his term. “Setbacks are unavoidable, but giving up is unforgivable,” he said. “We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up.” Read more here. —Rebecca Schneid
Bill and Hillary Clinton lead responses from the Democratic Party
Nov. 7, 8:11 a.m. ET
In what has been a week of disappointment for Democrats, with the presidency and the Senate firmly in the hands of the GOP, prominent members of the party have been sharing their reactions to Harris’ election loss.
Hillary Clinton, who lost the presidential race against Trump in 2016, shared a statement via social media alongside her husband, former President Bill Clinton. The couple congratulated Trump and his running mate J.D. Vance and emphasized their admiration for Harris.
“We must remember that America is bigger than the results of any one election. And what we as citizens do now will make the difference between a nation that moves forward or one that falls back,” the statement read. “We need to solve our problems and seize our opportunities together. The future of our country depends on us.”
Others called for continued fight and hope. New York Rep. and prominent progressive Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez addressed the election loss in a video shared on Instagram, and she didn’t mask her disappointment.
“This is real. And I’m not here to sugarcoat what we are all about to collectively experience,” she said. “But I think that what we can do to prepare is to build community…We are about to enter a political period that will have consequences for the rest of our lives. We cannot give up.”
Sen. Elizabeth Warren also released a video on Wednesday, calling on Democrats to take “opportunities to fight back.”
“They are counting on us to point fingers at each other and to lose trust in our ability to ever, ever make change. I absolutely refuse to give them that satisfaction. We will continue to fight for each other,” Warren said. —Rebecca Schneid
Tim Walz reacts to election defeat and pays tribute to Harris
Nov. 7, 7:10 a.m. ET
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, posted a statement on X addressing the Democratic Party’s defeat. He thanked Harris for selecting him as her VP candidate and said campaigning at her side had been the “honor and privilege of [his] life.”
Walz also attended Harris’ concession speech at Howard University on Wednesday evening, where he clapped and waved after Harris mentioned him by name.
“To Governor Walz and the Walz family: I know your service to our nation will continue,” Harris said.
Over social media, Walz reiterated similar points as Harris did in her speech, writing that the outcome of the election was not what was desired, but that their job is not done.
“I am grateful to the millions of Americans who joined our campaign and stood up for our greatest ideals: decency, compassion, and love of our neighbor,” he said. “Now more than ever, we need you to continue fighting for those values and the country we all love.” —Rebecca Schneid
Read More: How Far Trump Would Go
Melania Trump makes statement
Nov. 6, 6:35 p.m. ET
Former First Lady Melania Trump said that she will help “safeguard the heart” of the U.S.—freedom, under her husband’s second administration.
“I anticipate the citizens of our nation rejoining in commitment to each other and rising above ideology for the sake of individual liberty, economic prosperity, and security,” she wrote in a statement on X. “American energy, skill, and initiative will bring together our best minds to propel our nation forward forevermore.” —Solcyré Burga
Joe Biden speaks to Trump and Harris
Nov. 6, 6:15 p.m. ET
President Biden spoke with both Trump and Harris on Wednesday, according to the White House. Biden congratulated Trump on his win and congratulated Harris “on her historic campaign.”
On the call with Trump, Biden “expressed his commitment to ensuring a smooth transition and emphasized the importance of working to bring the country together,” according to the White House’s description of their talk. Biden also invited President-elect Trump to meet with him at the White House “in the near future.”
“President Joe Biden called President Donald J. Trump to congratulate him on his victory and extended an invitation to the White House to ensure a smooth transition between the current Administration and the incoming Administration. President Trump looks forward to the meeting, which will take place shortly, and very much appreciated the call,” said Steven Cheung, Trump campaign communications Director
Biden will address the nation on Thursday to talk about the election and the transition. —Brian Bennett
Read More: What Donald Trump’s Win Means for Abortion
Biden releases statement in support of Harris
Nov. 6, 6:15 p.m. ET
President Biden released a statement Wednesday afternoon in support of Harris following her presidential candidacy loss, calling her a public servant “full of integrity, courage, and character.”
“What America saw today was the Kamala Harris I know and deeply admire,” Biden said following Harris’ concession speech. “Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied what’s possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation that is more free, more just, and full of more opportunities for all Americans.” —Solcyré Burga
Harris concedes to Trump in speech at Howard University
Nov. 6, 6:15 p.m. ET
Harris conceded to Trump on Wednesday evening, in a speech at her alma mater Howard University. She focused on encouraging Americans to continue fighting for justice for all.
“We must accept the results,” Harris said, emphasizing that she and President Joe Biden will engage in a peaceful transition of power.
Harris said that, while she was conceding the election, her work is far from done. “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign,” she said.
“We will continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square,” she said. “And we will also wage it in how we live our lives—by treating one another with kindness and respect.”
Read more about her speech here. —Brian Bennett
Obamas congratulate Trump on victory
Nov. 6, 5:56 p.m. ET.
In a statement on Wednesday, former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama congratulated Trump and his running mate Sen. J.D. Vance on winning the 2024 election, adding that it “is obviously not the outcome we had hoped for” but calling on the nation to come together.
“Living in a democracy is about recognizing that our point of view won’t always win out, and being willing to accept the peaceful transfer of power,” the Obamas said, noting that the nation’s problems are solvable “only if we listen to each other, and only if we abide by the core constitutional principles and democratic norms that made this country great.”
Barack and Michelle Obama, who were powerful surrogates for the Harris-Walz campaign and rallied crowds in several swing states, added that they “could not be prouder” of the Democratic ticket, calling Vice President Harris and Minnesota Gov. Walz “two extraordinary public servants who ran a remarkable campaign.” —Nik Popli
Read More: What Donald Trump’s Win Means For Immigration
Bernie Sanders criticizes Democrats
Nov. 6, 4:30 p.m. ET
Just as Harris was set to give her concession speech, Sen. Bernie Sanders issued a searing review of the Democratic Party: “It should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them,” the independent from Vermont wrote. “First, it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and Black workers as well. While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right.”
The blistering statement from one of the leaders of the progressive movement comes as Democrats have begun soul-searching to determine what went so wrong for the party to lose ground with some of its most reliable constituencies. “Will the big money interests and well-paid consultants who control the Democratic Party learn any real lessons from this disastrous campaign?” Sanders asked. “Will they understand the pain and political alienation that tens of millions of Americans are experiencing? Do they have any ideas as to how we can take on the increasingly powerful Oligarchy which has so much economic and political power? Probably not.”
Sanders added the Democratic Party needs “to have some very serious political discussions” in the coming weeks and months.
Read more about Democrats’ blame game here. —Nik Popli
LGBTQ+ Americans in crisis increase due to Election Day
Nov. 6, 3:54 p.m. ET
The Trevor Project reported an increase of 125% in crisis contact volume on Election Day through Wednesday morning when compared to what the organization called “normal days.”
The LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention organization offers crisis services through text, phone calls, or online.“We anticipate this number will be at least maintained, and potentially only increase,” Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said.
Election-related crisis conversations were on the rise prior to the election, as the Trevor Project saw a near 200% increase in crisis outreach from Nov. 3 to 4, compared to October 29 to Nov. 2. Previous research found that 90% of LGBTQ+ people reported their wellbeing was negatively affected by recent politics.
A rise in anti-transgender sentiment, which has been espoused by Republican candidates, including the President-elect, has been linked to a rise in suicide attempts by transgender and nonbinary youth.
NBC’s exit poll found that 86% of respondents who identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender voted for Democrats. —Solcyré Burga
Read More: What Donald Trump’s Win Means for the Economy
Harris calls to congratulate Trump
Nov. 6., 2:32 p.m. ET
Harris called Trump to congratulate him on winning the 2024 presidential election, according to a senior Harris aide. She discussed the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and being a president for all Americans.
“President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke by phone earlier today where she congratulated him on his historic victory. President Trump acknowledged Vice President Harris on her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country,” said Steven Cheung, Trump campaign communications director.
The Vice President is scheduled to deliver remarks at Howard University this afternoon. —Brian Bennett
Montana and Nevada pass abortion-rights measures
Nov. 6, 11:35 a.m. ET
In Montana, more than 57% of voters backed a measure that will amend the state constitution to guarantee the right to abortion until fetal viability, or later if necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant person. About 43% of voters rejected the measure, as of 9:47 a.m. ET on Wednesday, when about 87% of the votes were counted. The AP called the race at 6:01 a.m. ET on Wednesday. Abortion is currently legal until fetal viability in Montana, but advocates have said that the measure would prevent future lawmakers from trying to roll back access—which they have tried to do in recent years.
The abortion-rights measure in Nevada received about 63% of the vote in favor and about 37% in opposition, as of 5:09 a.m. ET on Wednesday, when about 84% of the votes were counted. The AP called the race at 3:21 a.m. ET on Wednesday. The measure would enshrine in the state constitution the right to abortion until fetal viability or after in situations where the pregnant person’s life or health is at risk, but voters will need to pass it again in 2026 before the state constitution can be changed. Nevada currently allows abortion until the 24th week of pregnancy.
Overall, the 2024 election had mixed results regarding matters of abortion—measures that would protect abortion rights passed in seven states but failed in three. —Chantelle Lee
Nebraska rejects amendment enshrining abortion rights
Nov. 6, 7:12 a.m. ET
In the first state with competing abortion ballots since the Dobbs decision in 2022, Nebraska rejected a ballot measure to expand abortion rights in the state. Voters enshrined the state’s current law which bans abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest, and to save the life of the pregnant person. The anti-abortion rights measure—Initiative 434, or the “Protect Women and Children” Initiative—was called by AP at 1:02 a.m. Wednesday.
Nebraskans also voted on the “Right to Abortion Initiative,” which would have created a right to abortion until fetal viability or when needed to protect the life or health of a pregnant woman, thus overturning the 12-week ban put into place last year. At 3:27 a.m. on Wednesday, AP called that the initiative failed to pass. —Rebecca Schneid
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Trump wins the 2024 presidential election
Nov. 6, 5:41 a.m. ET
Donald Trump has won the 2024 election and will be President for a second time, according to the AP. The AP called the race early Wednesday morning after determining that Kamala Harris had no mathematical path to victory based on the votes tallied so far.
Trump’s win marks a stunning political comeback for the former President and celebrity businessman after he lost in 2020 to Joe Biden and then refused to accept the results, encouraging his supporters to violently storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 to try to overturn his loss.
Trump, 78, campaigned with a central message that the Democrats had fumbled the economy and the border, and that he could fix it all.
In the final months of his tumultuous 2024 campaign, Trump survived two assassination attempts and the FBI foiled a third plot by Iran to hire a hitman to kill him. After an assassin’s bullet grazed his ear during a rally in Butler, Pa. in July, Trump rose and pumped his fist and told the crowd to “fight.”
Trump’s win makes him only the second President in American history to win back the White House four years after being voted out. It hasn’t happened since Grover Cleveland won his way back to the Oval Office in 1892 after being kicked out by voters in 1888. —Brian Bennett
South Dakota rejects an abortion rights amendment, Arizona votes to approve
Nov. 6, 5:26 a.m. ET
Voters in South Dakota rejected the proposal to add protections for abortion rights to the state constitution. South Dakota has one of the nation’s strictest abortion bans. The outcome of this vote preserves the state law that makes it a felony to perform an abortion outside of cases where it is carried out to save the life of the mother. The AP called the result at 2:49 a.m. ET Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Arizona voted to approve an abortion rights amendment which guarantees abortion access up to fetal viability. The state was one of 10 with abortion measures on the ballot in the 2024 election. The AP called the result at 3:31 a.m. ET, Wednesday. The vote comes after the Arizona Supreme Court earlier this year allowed the enforcement of an 1864 law banning nearly all abortions, but the legislature swiftly repealed it. —Olivia-Anne Cleary
Trump gives victory speech to supporters
Nov. 6, 3:30 a.m. ET
Trump claimed victory in his race against Harris in a late-night speech to supporters at his campaign’s election watch party event in West Palm Beach. Fla.
The AP has not yet called the presidential election, though Trump has a commanding lead in several battleground states.
“We’re gonna pay you back,” Trump said, thanking his supporters, before saying, “Together we can truly make America great again for all Americans.”
“I will not let you down. America’s future will be bigger, better, bolder, richer, safer, and stronger than it has ever been before.” —Chad de Guzman
All polls have closed
Nov. 6, 1:00 a.m. ET
As of 1:00 a.m. ET, all polls have closed. Polls closed in Hawaii and parts of Alaska at 12:00 a.m.
Harris won’t speak tonight
Nov. 6, 12:52 a.m. ET
Harris won’t speak tonight, according to campaign co-chair Cedric Richmond. Addressing the crowd at Howard, he said Harris would make remarks tomorrow. He also noted that “we still have votes to count” and that key states have not yet been called. —Charlotte Alter
Republicans poised to take Senate
Nov. 5, 11:55 p.m. ET
Republicans are likely to take control of the U.S. Senate after flipping two key Democratic-held Senate seats in Ohio and West Virginia that the AP called Tuesday night. Control of Senate will be vital for Republicans as they now look to have power over the next president’s legislative agenda, Cabinet appointments, judicial nominations, and more. Democrats faced a daunting challenge to defend their slim 51-seat majority, with 34 contested seats up for election. Read more here. —Nik Popli
Missouri passes abortion-rights measure
Nov. 5, 11:41 p.m. ET
In a major victory for abortion-rights supporters, Missouri voters decided to enshrine the right to abortion until fetal viability—with exceptions after that if the pregnant person’s life or health is at risk—in the state constitution. The AP called the result at 11:24 p.m. ET. Nearly 54% of voters backed the measure, while about 46% rejected it, with about 77% of the vote counted by 11:29 p.m. ET.
Missouri has one of the strictest laws restricting abortion in the country, but the newly-passed measure is expected to supersede the state’s current near-total ban. Abortion rights advocates celebrated the news Tuesday night, with Center for Reproductive Rights President and CEO Nancy Northup calling it “an especially historic win for Missouri.”
“By saying yes to this powerful language, voters have demanded the return of the essential human rights and freedoms they lost after Roe was overturned,” Northup said in a press release. —Chantelle Lee
Harris team sees their path through the Blue Wall
Nov. 5, 11:12 p.m. ET
Late Tuesday night, the Harris campaign sees her likeliest path to victory going through the Blue Wall states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania, according to a memo by Harris campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon obtained by TIME. “While we continue to see data trickle in from the Sun Belt states, we have known all along that our clearest path to 270 electoral votes lies through the Blue Wall states,” the memo reads, calling it “a razor thin race.” The memo suggests the Harris camp also does not believe the election will be called tonight. —Brian Bennett
Almost all polls have closed
Nov. 5, 11:00 p.m. ET
As of 11:00 p.m. ET, polls have closed in California, Washington, and the rest of Idaho and Oregon.
Maryland, New York, and Colorado pass measures protecting reproductive rights
Nov. 5, 10:50 p.m. ET
Abortion-related ballot measures have passed in three states so far.
Voters in Maryland overwhelmingly decided to guarantee the right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution. The AP called the result at 9:28 p.m. ET, with about 74% voting in favor and 26% voting against the ballot measure after about 54% of the votes were counted.
Abortion is already legal in the state until fetal viability, or after that if necessary to protect the pregnant person’s life or health, or if the fetus has a serious abnormality. But abortion-rights supporters have said that the amendment will ensure that future lawmakers can’t restrict access to abortion in the future.
In New York, voters also decided to amend their state’s constitution. A measure to include equal rights protections, such as a provision that no person should be discriminated against because of “pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy,” passed, according to an AP call at 9:31 p.m. ET. About 72% of voters backed the measure and only about 27% rejected it after about 34% of the votes were counted as of 9:51 p.m. ET. Abortion is allowed until fetal viability in New York.
Colorado will enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution, after the AP called the result at 10:26 p.m. ET, with about 56% of votes counted and nearly 61% of voters backing the ballot measure and only about 39% of voters rejecting it.. Colorado already allows for abortion at any stage of pregnancy, and the measure was widely expected to pass. The newly-passed amendment will also repeal a nearly four-decade-old ban on state and local government funding being used to pay for abortion services. —Chantelle Lee
Sarah McBride becomes first openly transgender member of Congress
Nov. 5, 10:25 p.m. ET
Delaware State Sen. Sarah McBride, already the nation’s highest-ranking openly transgender elected official, made history once again on Tuesday, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to the United States Congress. She clinched Delaware’s lone House seat in a resounding victory, according to the AP.
While her win is a landmark moment for the transgender community, McBride, 34, was careful not to make her identity the centerpiece of her candidacy. “I’m not running to be the trans member of Congress,” McBride says in a sit-down interview with TIME in Dover, Del. two weeks before the election. “I’m running to be the best damn legislator that I can be.”
Her historic win comes at a time when transgender rights are under siege and the political discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ issues has reached new levels of polarization. Read more here. —Nik Popli
Polls close in Nevada and more
Nov. 5, 10:00 p.m. ET
As of 10:00 p.m. ET, polls closed in Montana, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Oregon and Idaho depending on the time zone.
Florida abortion-rights ballot measure fails
Nov. 5, 9:38 p.m. ET
In a blow to abortion-rights supporters, a Florida ballot measure that would have enshrined the right to abortion until fetal viability in the state constitution failed to pass on Tuesday. The measure, which needed 60% of the vote to succeed, fell just short. The AP called the result at 9:06 p.m. ET., with about 57% of Floridians voting in favor and 43% voting against it, with about 91% of the votes counted.
The result in Florida on Tuesday breaks a previous trend—before this year, voters had sided with abortion rights every time the issue has been on state ballots since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Because the Florida amendment failed to pass, the state’s six-week abortion ban will remain in effect.
The campaign behind the ballot measure held a press conference Tuesday night after the result was announced. Campaign director Lauren Brenzel said the vote breakdown showed that, while the measure failed to pass, the majority of Floridians backed it.
“They are tired of women dying because of abortion bans. They are tired of women being forced to give birth to children who died in their arms because of abortion bans,” Brenzel said. “A bipartisan group of voters today sent a clear message to the Florida Legislature.”
Center for Reproductive Rights President Nancy Northup said in a press release Tuesday night: “Like so many Americans, Floridians are living under an abortion ban they didn’t ask for and don’t want. As the majority of Florida voters made clear tonight, they want their reproductive freedom back. But due to the high 60% threshold and the state’s disinformation campaign, they must continue to live with the fear, uncertainty, and denial of care caused by the reversal of Roe. So too will countless women in the southeastern U.S., which will remain for now a virtual abortion desert.”
Anti-abortion groups, meanwhile, celebrated the result. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America’s President Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a press release that the news was “a momentous victory for life in Florida and for our entire country.”
Nine other states had abortion-related measures on the ballot on Tuesday, but Florida was the first to release results in the closely-watched race. —Chantelle Lee
Rep. Andy Kim becomes first Korean American U.S. Senator
Nov. 5, 9:10 p.m. ET
New Jersey Rep. Andy Kim is set to become the first Korean American to be elected to the U.S. Senate after winning the seat of former Sen. Robert Menendez, who was convicted on corruption charges earlier this year.
The 42-year-old Congressman, who has served as a representative for New Jersey’s 3rd district since 2019, was elected over first-time Republican Curtis Bashaw. New Jersey has not elected a Republican Senator for more than 50 years.
Kim’s road to the Senate was not an easy feat. To win the Democratic primary, Kim rallied against Tammy Murphy, spouse of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who had the support of some Democratic party leaders.
“We just won our Senate race! As a son of immigrants, a public school kid, I never could’ve imagined I’d get to serve as a US Senator. I’m deeply humbled and grateful to NJ and for everyone who got us here,” Kim wrote in an X post Tuesday evening. “I promise I’ll serve with honor and integrity as a public servant for all.”
Kim is now one of just three Asian American U.S. Senators. —Solcyré Burga
Mark Robinson loses North Carolina Governor’s race
Nov. 5, 9:06 p.m. ET
Republican Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson lost the race for North Carolina Governor to the state’s Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein, according to the AP. Robinson has a history of controversial remarks—a September CNN investigation linked Robinson to dozens of inflammatory and racist comments on a porn forum. October polls showed Stein holding a consistent double-digit lead ahead of Robinson. Read more here. —Simmone Shah
Polls close in Arizona, Wisconsin, and more
Nov. 5, 9:00 p.m. ET
As of 9:00 p.m. ET, polls have now closed in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and the rest of Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas.
Florida Republican Rick Scott wins reelection to Senate
Nov. 5, 8:45 p.m. ET
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) won a second term on Tuesday, the AP called, besting his Democratic opponent former Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell in a closely-watched Senate race and further cementing how reliably red the former swing state has become.
Scott, 71, served two terms as Florida governor before he was first elected to the Senate in 2018 by a razor-thin margin that necessitated a recount. In polls before the 2024 election, Scott was only narrowly ahead of Mucarsel-Powell, a 53-year-old, Ecuador-born, one-term Democratic congressperson for South Florida.
Scott is among the richest U.S. senators, and has reportedly pumped millions of his own money into his campaign. Scott’s election victory in Florida positions him to potentially succeed Mitch McConnell, as he plans to run for Senate Republican leader in the incoming Congress. —Chad de Guzman
Polls close in Arkansas
Nov. 5, 8:30 p.m. ET
As of 8:30 p.m. ET, polls have now closed in Arkansas.
Polls close in Pennsylvania and more
Nov. 5, 8:00 p.m. ET
As of 8:00 p.m. ET, polls have now closed in Alabama*, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania*, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., as well as portions of North Dakota, Kansas, and Texas, depending on the time zone.
*Some locations in Alabama and Pennsylvania will remain open later.
Trump to be joined by Musk tonight
Nov. 5, 8:00 p.m. ET
Trump will be joined at his Mar-a-Lago club on Election Night by Elon Musk, according to a campaign official, as well as his running mate J.D. Vance. —Eric Cortellessa/Palm Beach, Fla.
Trump alleges ‘massive cheating’ in Pennsylvania, authorities say it’s ‘disinformation’
Nov. 5, 7:55 p.m. ET
After Trump posted on social media on Election Day, “A lot of talk about massive CHEATING in Philadelphia. Law Enforcement coming!!!,” Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner responded, saying the Republican nominee has no evidence to back this up.
“The only talk about massive cheating has come from one of the candidates, Donald J. Trump. There is no factual basis whatsoever within law enforcement to support this wild allegation,” Krasner said in a statement on X. “We have invited complaints and allegations of improprieties all day. If Donald J. Trump has any facts to support his wild allegations, we want them now. Right now. We are not holding our breath.”
Trump followed up with another post on Truth Social, again without evidence: “Philadelphia and Detroit! Heavy Law Enforcement is there!!!”
CNN reported that the Philadelphia Police Department did not know what Trump may have been referencing and was unaware of any voting issues that would require a law enforcement response. City Commissioner Seth Bluestein also said in a post on X that there was “absolutely no truth” to Trump’s election fraud claim: “It is yet another example of disinformation. Voting in Philadelphia has been safe and secure.”
Detroit officials have also told CNN that they were unaware of “any police presence in the city for elections beyond what was outlined in a press conference last Thursday and widely reported nationally.”Trump has begun to sow doubt in the integrity of the election as observers warn that he may contest the results if he loses. Pennsylvania and Michigan are two of the seven swing states that may decide the race. —Chad de Guzman
Republicans pick up Senate seat in West Virginia
Nov. 5, 7:50 p.m. ET
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice won the state’s open Senate seat, the AP called Tuesday night, moving Republicans one step closer to flipping the balance of power in the Senate. Republicans were heavily favored to win the seat after Sen. Joe Manchin, an independent who left the Democratic Party, decided not to seek re-election and endorsed Democrat Glenn Elliott, the former mayor of Wheeling.
With Justice’s win in red West Virginia, Republicans now only need to flip one more seat to win control of the Senate under a Democratic presidency. —Nik Popli
Harris campaign sees enthusiasm among students
Nov. 5, 7:34 p.m. ET
The Harris campaign says they’re seeing strong signs of enthusiasm among students, with long lines at universities in North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The campaign also says that they’re outperforming their internal turnout expectations in Philadelphia, with the three Philadelphia wards with highest densities of Puerto Rican voters exceeding their 2020 turnout by 5 p.m. ET. —Charlotte Alter
Polls close in North Carolina, Ohio, and more
Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. ET
As of 7:30 p.m. ET, polls have now closed in North Carolina*, Ohio, West Virginia, and certain municipalities in New Hampshire.
*A few North Carolina precincts will remain open later.
Polls close in Florida, Georgia, and more
Nov. 5, 7:00 p.m. ET
As of 7 p.m. ET, polls have closed in Florida, Georgia*, South Carolina, Virginia, and Vermont, as well as the districts in Indiana and Kentucky that are in central time zones.
*A few precincts in Georgia will remain open later after disruptions from non-credible bomb threats earlier in the day.
Arizona receives “unsubstantiated” bomb threats
Nov. 5, 6:31 p.m. ET
Multiple “unsubstantiated” bomb threats were made to four locations in Navajo County, Arizona, the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office said on Tuesday. The threats are suspected to be tied to “foreign enemies,” including Russia. But officials stressed that no voters or voting locations are at risk. Threats, some of which have also been tied to Russia, have also been reported in Georgia, which extended voting hours at several polling locations in Fulton and Gwinnett County past the 7 p.m. scheduled closing time. —Chantelle Lee
Harris campaign update
Nov. 5, 5:48 p.m. ET
The Harris campaign is seeing reasons for both optimism and caution as they head into Election Night. They say they’re seeing high Puerto Rican turnout in Philadelphia. (A comedian at a Trump rally last week made a racist joke about Puerto Rico.) They’re also seeing enthusiasm among college students, particularly in Pennsylvania. However, the Harris campaign also says Republican turnout in Florida appears high. —Charlotte Alter
The election cases that could matter after polls close
Nov. 5, 5:12 p.m. ET
For months leading up to Election Day, Republicans and Democrats have been facing off in court over dozens of voting-related lawsuits. The ripple effects of those cases could be far-reaching. Trump is already highlighting the lawsuits and rulings as a way to undermine confidence in the result if he loses. Democrats have been working to block those lawsuits and stave off last-minute attempts by some election officials to narrow how votes are counted and certified. Harris’ legal team is working to make sure that all eligible votes are counted and that election officials with political motivations don’t try to prevent or delay certification of the outcome. Republicans have managed to successfully challenge voter registrations in Virginia and Arizona and restrict which mailed ballots can be counted and when in Pennsylvania and Mississippi.
Read more about the legal cases that could make a difference once the polls close here. —Brian Bennett
Man arrested at Capitol with torch and flare gun
Nov. 5, 5:26 p.m. ET
A man who smelled like gasoline and was carrying a torch lighter, a flare gun, and papers he intended to deliver to Congress was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Capitol Visitor Center, authorities said.
Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said authorities were interviewing the suspect, and added that the Israel-Hamas war “may” have been one of the reasons he attempted to enter the Capitol. “It’s really unknown at this point what his intention was,” Manger said. “There’s no indication right now that it had anything to do with the election.”
The man appeared to hesitate as he was going through security, Manger said. When he put his belongings on a conveyor belt for a security screening, Capitol Police members saw “something in the shape of a firearm” and “two bottles in the backpack,” the police chief said, adding that they noticed a “faint odor of gasoline” on his body and on the backpack.
It’s unclear if the man intended to set himself on fire, Manger said. “He had some articles in his backpack that he may have wanted to set on fire,” he said, although “it did not appear that he had doused all of his clothing” in the substance that smelled like gas.
Police closed the Capitol Visitor Center for tours while police investigated the incident. Congress was not in session today and it is not a voting center. There are 34 contested seats up for election in the Senate, and all 435 seats in the House are on the ballot. —Nik Popli
Google refutes Musk’s suggestion the search engine is helping Harris
Nov. 5, 4:36 p.m. ET
Google has clarified misconceptions around its voting information feature, after Elon Musk and X users raised concerns of election interference related to the different search results that would appear when users looked up information on voting for the two candidates.
Google’s voting information service, launched in 2012, uses search and maps to provide information on how and where to vote. On Tuesday afternoon, Musk, the billionaire owner of X and a prominent Trump supporter, quote-tweeted a post in which Google results for the search “Where can I vote for Trump” yielded election-related stories, while the search “Where can I vote for Harris” displayed a map where searchers could insert their address and find their polling location.
In a response, Google said that the map was triggered because Harris’ name is the same as a county in Texas. “The “where to vote” panel is triggering for some specific searches bc Harris is also the name of a county in TX. Happens for “Vance” too bc it’s also the name of a county,” Google said in a post on X. “Fix is coming. Note very few people actually search for voting places this way.” —Simmone Shah
FBI warns fake videos are spreading election misinformation
Nov. 5, 4:23 p.m. ET
The FBI said on Tuesday it was made aware of at least two instances of its name and insignia being used to spread false election-related information.
One manipulated video, which was a fake news clip, circulating online shows the FBI allegedly asking citizens to vote remotely because of “high terror” threats at polling stations. “This video is not authentic and does not accurately represent the current threat posture or polling location safety,” the FBI said in a statement.
A second fabricated video shows a fake FBI press release that says that five prisons in the swing states of Pennsylvania, Georgia and Arizona colluded with a political party to manipulate inmate voting.
“Election integrity is among our highest priorities, and the FBI is working closely with state and local law enforcement partners to respond to election threats and protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote,” the Bureau added. —Solcyré Burga
The Senate races to watch
Nov. 5, 4:00 p.m. ET
The presidential election isn’t the only close race to watch tonight. The battle for control of Congress is shaping up to be equally competitive as Democrats and Republicans hope to flip the House and Senate, respectively.
Control of both chambers will likely come down to a handful of critical races across key states. The Democrats face a daunting challenge in the Senate, with their slim 51-seat majority looking increasingly at risk as 34 contested seats are up for election. Republicans are expected to pick up the seat of retiring Sen. Joe Manchin in West Virginia, meaning they would need just one additional victory to reclaim control of the chamber provided they manage to avoid any upsets elsewhere.
The key races that determine control of the Senate are in Ohio, Montana, Texas, Nebraska, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Nevada, Maryland, and Florida. You can read more about these races here. The party that controls the Senate will have power over the next President’s legislative agenda, Cabinet appointments, judicial nominations, and more. —Nik Popli
Trump won’t say how he voted on Florida’s abortion ballot measure
Nov. 5, 3:45 p.m. ET
After Trump voted in Palm Beach, Fla. on Tuesday, he was asked twice about the state’s abortion-rights ballot measure. At first, he evaded the question, saying only that he did “a great job bringing it back to the states,” in reference to how he nominated three of the U.S. Supreme Court justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. When asked about the Florida ballot measure again, Trump said, “You should stop talking about it.”
The measure in Florida is one of the most closely-watched abortion-related initiatives this year. The state currently prohibits abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, which is before many people know they’re pregnant, and carries some exceptions. If it passes, the measure would effectively upend Florida’s current restriction, enshrining the right to abortion up until fetal viability—or later if necessary to protect the pregnant person’s health—in the state constitution.
Trump had initially suggested that Florida’s six-week ban was too strict and indicated that he would vote in favor of the measure, but later said he would vote “no.”
After he cast his ballot, Trump said he was feeling “very confident” about the presidential race. “It looks like Republicans have shown up in force,” he said to reporters. —Chantelle Lee
Where abortion is on the ballot
Nov. 5, 2:41 p.m. ET
There are 10 states that have abortion-related measures on the ballot in the 2024 election—the highest number in a single year. Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota will decide whether to amend their state’s constitution to include protections for reproductive rights. Nebraska, meanwhile, is the first state to have two competing abortion initiatives on the same ballot since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in 2022—one measure would enshrine in the state constitution the right to abortion until fetal viability or later if needed to protect the pregnant person’s health, while the other would amend it to incorporate a ban on abortion in the second and third trimesters, with exceptions for rape, incest, or medical emergencies.
Five of the states voting on the issue—Arizona, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota—currently restrict or ban abortions. If their abortion-rights measures pass, that would effectively upend those restrictions.
So far, voters have sided with abortion rights every time the issue has been on the ballot since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago. Before this election, seven states—California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Vermont, and Ohio—had put abortion on the ballot after the Dobbs decision. —Chantelle Lee
Russian bomb threats disrupt Georgia polling stations
Nov. 5, 1:06 p.m. ET
Bomb threats that caused disruptions at polling places at the Etris Community Center and Gullatt Elementary in Union City, Georgia have been deemed non-credible, according to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
“We’ve heard some threats that were of Russian origin. I don’t know how to describe that that’s viable—we don’t think they are, but in the interest of public safety, we always check that out, and we’ll just continue to be very responsible when we hear about stuff like that,” Raffensperger told reporters Tuesday. “We identified the source, and it was from Russia.”
Law enforcement was present at the five to seven precincts that were impacted by the threats, Raffensperger added, though only two precincts stopped voting. Other counties temporarily postponed voting for some 30 minutes while officials dispelled the threat.
Fulton County, where the bomb threats were made, is looking to extend voting hours due to the disturbance. Georgia voters can check their polling places wait times online. —Solcyré Burga
Harris’ Election Day plans
Nov. 5, 1:54 p.m. ET
Ahead of her election night event at Howard University in Washington, DC, Harris spent the morning calling into battleground state radio stations to encourage Americans to vote, according to her campaign. She called into Power 99 in Philadelphia, KDKA NewsRadio in Pittsburgh, The Big Tigger Morning Show in Atlanta, and Foxy 107.2 in Raleigh, N.C. Harris continued her election day radio call-ins with calls to radio stations in Milwaukee and Nevada, along with Phoenix-based Radio Campesina Network. She said that she will be having dinner with her family this evening.—Charlotte Alter
Trump’s Election Day plans
Nov. 5, 10:47 a.m. ET
Trump is expected to vote in person on Election Day before noon. He will be joined by his wife, Melania, and 18-year-old son, Barron, at the Morton and Barbara Mandel Recreation Center in Palm Beach, Fla., according to sources familiar with Trump’s plans. This will be Barron's first time voting in the General Election.
Trump will watch the returns with his top aides, friends, and family at his Mar-a-Lago club, according to sources familiar with his plans. His campaign is hosting an election night watch party down the road at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Trump is expected to address the crowd at some point in the evening. Some within his orbit are bracing for the possibility that Trump will prematurely declare victory, much like he did in 2020, setting in motion a potential legal showdown over the election outcome in the coming days and weeks if he loses. —Eric Cortellessa/Palm Beach, Fla.
Record numbers of absentee voting this year
Nov. 5, 9:42 a.m. ET
Early voters have already broken records at their local polling stations in numerous states, including Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, and North Carolina. In Louisiana, more than a million early and mail-in votes were cast prior to Election Day, compared to the nearly 820,000 cast in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
There has been an improvement in early vote numbers for Republicans, who have taken to the practice under the encouragement of Trump, after he spent years questioning the integrity of early and mail-in ballot voting.
Other states like Wisconsin have already surpassed their absentee voting totals from the last presidential election. In Minnesota, more than 1.1 million absentee ballots (and ballots for Minnesota precincts that exclusively vote by mail), were accepted as of Nov. 1. Some 1.9 million absentee ballots were cast in the state in 2020, compared to 677,000 in 2016.
Absentee voting allows citizens to vote even if they will be out of their municipality on Election Day, or if they have a disability or illness that bars them from being able to vote in-person. It differs from early voting, which allows people to vote in-person before Election Day. Eight states, including Arizona, Maine, and New Jersey, allow any voter to sign up to receive an absentee ballot, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, while others—like Louisiana—limit absentee voting to seniors or those with permanent disabilities. —Solcyré Burga
Why we might not have a winner on Election Day
Nov. 5, 7:00 a.m. ET
Though polls will close at the end of the day on Nov. 5, there might not be a clear winner on Election Day. As voting by mail continues to be a popular option, the counting and verification of mail-in ballots could lead to delays—especially in a close race. Counting mail-in ballots involves additional layers of processing and verification; in some states, the work begins when ballots are received, while in other states, counting begins on Election Day.
Some swing states will see results sooner than others: Michigan, Georgia, and North Carolina have pre-processing laws that ensure the mail ballots are processed and verified ahead of Election Day. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, however, prohibit processing and verifying mail-in ballots before polls open on Election Day. (In 2020, it took four days for election results to be called in Pennsylvania.) And Arizona and Nevada, which both vote largely by mail, are likely to be the last to see results come in. —Simmone Shah
What time do the first polls close?
Nov. 5, 7:00 a.m. ET
Polling hours vary state by state—sometimes even county by county.
On TIME’s map below, you can see when exactly the polls in your state close today. Since poll closing times vary in North Dakota and New Hampshire, you can utilize search functions on each state’s respective website.
The first polls will close in Kentucky and Indiana at 6 p.m.—specifically those districts in the Eastern Time Zone.
How long it will take to get results from each polling station will vary greatly. For some states, like Arizona, most votes are likely to be cast via mail and early voting. Whereas in key swing states such as Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, counters are not allowed to start processing absentee and mail-in ballots until Election Day. —Rebecca Schneid
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